Category Archives: Smithsonian field trip

The Smithsonian Associates is the largest museum-based educational program in the world. They offer over 750 events in a calendar year: workshops, tours, lectures, performances, summer camps etc.

My educational guru, Susan Wise Bauer, will be lecturing there on December 5, about one of her books – The Story of Western Science. I have read the book and learned a lot from it. I highly recommend it. It will give you an overview of the scientific themes humanity grappled with over the centuries. The book also contains enough details about each important scientific manuscript to help you understand specific topics.

Unfortunately, my father passed away a couple of months ago. As a result, I had to do some paperwork at the Romanian Embassy in Washington DC. My husband and I decided to add a few days to the trip and turn it into a family vacation or an educational field trip. Homeschoolers never leave learning mode.

In front of the Washington Monument

In front of the US Capitol Building

Our children went through Virginia and the District of Columbia for the first time. They rode the metro for the first time. They went to the Smithsonian for the first time.

In front of Apollo 11

Rocks and more rocks

Riding the DC Metro

We only had time for the Museum of Natural History and the Air and Space Museum. They saw the Capitol building and the Washington monument. They experienced a big city atmosphere: the old, tall brick buildings, the impressive monuments and statues, the homeless begging in the streets. Daddy and I spent most of the time explaining to them what they were seeing.

In front of the National History Museum

In front of the National Christian Church

I used to like living in a big city, but I was single then. Now, you could not pay me enough to make me move into a big city. This trip reminded me of that lifestyle and how much I do not want it anymore.

“Please touch” said the sign and they did.

Gems and more gems

We also took them to the Romanian Embassy where it was nice to meet other Romanians. It was a good experience for my children to hear others address them in Romanian. We don’t have any Romanian friends nearby.

Of course, I am recording these three days we spent in DC as school days, for great learning was had by all.